Exploring literature in translation offers readers a chance to experience diverse cultures, perspectives, and storytelling traditions from around the world. This list highlights ten of the best translated books, showcasing works that have resonated globally and offer unique insights into the human experience. Whether you’re new to translated literature or looking to expand your reading horizons, these books are a great place to start.

The Postcard by Anne Berest, Tina Kover (Translator)

In January 2003, the Berest family receives an anonymous postcard featuring the Opéra Garnier in Paris. On the back are the names of Anne Berest’s great-grandparents—Ephraïm, Emma, and their children Noémie and Jacques—all victims of Auschwitz. Fifteen years later, Anne becomes determined to uncover the sender’s identity and the reasons behind the message. With the help of her relentless mother and a diverse group of allies, Anne delves into her family’s past, tracing their escape from Russia and the journey through Latvia, Palestine, and France. Her investigation reveals deep and unsettling truths about her family and herself.

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Lost on Me by Veronica Raimo, Leah Janeczko (Translator)

Lost on Me is a sharp, witty exploration of a young woman’s journey to adulthood within a neurotic family. Vero, the protagonist, grows up in Rome, overshadowed by a controlling, anxiety-ridden mother, a father obsessed with cleanliness and architecture, and a genius brother who commands all attention. Trapped in her stifling home, Vero’s attempts to escape are repeatedly thwarted by her mother’s manipulative tactics. As she navigates failed bids for freedom, sexual awakenings, and a blurred sense of reality, Vero finds solace in storytelling. Veronica Raimo’s novel is a clever, energetic take on the complexities of growing up.

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The Details by Ia Genberg, Kira Josefsson (Translator)

The Details follows a woman bedridden with a high fever who revisits a novel from her past. Within its pages, she finds a get-well-soon note from Johanna, an ex-girlfriend who is now a famous TV host. As she reads, memories of her past resurface—scenes with Johanna, Niki (the friend who vanished without a trace), Alejandro (who wanted a child despite their doomed relationship), and Brigitte (who was hiding a painful secret). Through four vivid portraits, the novel explores the intricate connections that shape a life, delving into the complexities of relationships and the ways we construct our personal narratives.

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What I’d Rather Not Think About by Jente Posthuma, Sarah Timmer Harvey (Translator)

What I’d Rather Not Think About by Jente Posthuma delves into the life of a twin whose brother has recently taken his own life. The narrator reflects on their shared childhood and their divergent paths as adults. Her brother’s search for happiness led him into complicated relationships and the Bhagwan movement, but he never truly found peace. Through brief, poignant vignettes, the novel captures the sister’s complex emotions—her deep love, lingering resentment, and profound grief. With a blend of melancholy and unexpected humor, Posthuma paints a tender portrait of loss, understanding, and the enduring bond between siblings.

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The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzburg, Frances Frenaye (Translator)

Natalia Ginzburg’s novel unravels the narrator’s journey through loneliness, desperation, and bitterness, leading to the murder of her unfaithful husband. Ginzburg’s prose is sharp and unflinching, devoid of sentimentality, as she explores the dark undercurrents of an ordinary, unhappy marriage. As the story unfolds, the narrator’s actions begin to feel disturbingly inevitable. This psychological thriller turns the mundane into something menacing, subtly provoking readers to question the extremes to which unfulfilled lives and broken relationships might drive someone.

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Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri, Todd Portnowitz (Translator)

This short story collection, positions Rome as its central character—an ever-changing city steeped in history and caught between past and future. The nine stories explore the lives of diverse characters— from a family vacationing in the Roman countryside to a couple navigating their empty nest and the intertwining lives on a public staircase. Through these tales, the author captures the complexity of Rome’s social and cultural landscape, delving into themes of identity, belonging, and the meaning of home. Written originally in Italian, the stories offer a profound exploration of life in modern Rome.

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Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel, Rosalind Harvey (Translator)

In this compelling novel, two women in their mid-thirties, Alina and Laura, navigate the complexities of modern womanhood. Alina, who decides to become a mother, and Laura, who chooses to remain child-free by undergoing sterilization, find their friendship tested by these life-changing decisions. Alina’s unexpected journey through a difficult pregnancy and Laura’s growing bond with a neighbor’s child bring them closer, forcing both to confront their conflicting emotions and desires. With sharp, insightful prose, Guadalupe Nettel delves into the nuanced realities of maternal ambivalence, exploring the intricate and often contradictory experiences of women facing motherhood.

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The Aunt Who Wouldn’t Die by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Arunava Sinha (Translator)

In this book, Somlata— newly married into the declining Mitra family, stumbles upon the body of her great aunt-in-law— Pishima, who has recently passed away after a lifetime of widowhood. Determined to seek revenge on the Mitras for her own unfulfilled life, Pishima’s ghost begins to stir trouble, leaving Somlata with a hidden box of gold. As the Mitras face financial ruin, Somlata grapples with her own plans. Meanwhile, rebellious teenager Boshon, resisting marriage, falls for her returning neighbor, hinting at a continuation of Pishima’s restless spirit. This vibrant novel explores generational clashes and unexpected transformations with humor and heart.

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Chilean Poet by Alejandro Zambra, Megan McDowell (Translator)

In Chilean Poet, Alejandro Zambra weaves a touching tale of love and literature through interconnected lives. After reuniting with his first love, Carla, poet Gonzalo becomes part of a makeshift family with Carla and her young son, Vicente. As Gonzalo’s aspirations take him to New York, Vicente grows up with a deep appreciation for poetry. When Vicente meets Pru, an American journalist in Santiago, he inspires her to explore the world of contemporary Chilean poets. Through her research, Pru uncovers a vibrant, unconventional literary community, leading to unexpected connections between past and present. Zambra’s novel tenderly examines family, love, and personal identity.

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Confessions by Kanae Minato, Stephen Snyder (Translator)

In Confessions, Yuko Moriguchi, devastated by a personal tragedy and the accident that leads her to resign from teaching, has one final lecture to deliver. During this lecture, she reveals shocking truths about two of her students, igniting a spiraling plot for revenge. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, revealing unexpected twists and a dark, intricate narrative. As Yuko’s revelations unravel, they challenge the boundaries of justice, punishment, and love, leading to a tense and dangerous showdown between teacher and students. This gripping novel will forever alter your perception of the classroom and the complexities of human relationships.

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